Category: Education
AI Is Coming for Financial Advice: What Advisors Need to Know with Alex Chalekian (Ep. 18)

AI Is Coming for Financial Advice: What Advisors Need to Know with Alex Chalekian (Ep. 18)

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What happens when AI begins reshaping the financial advice industry faster than most advisors expect?

In this episode, Thomas Manetta sits down with Alex Chalekian, Founder and CEO of Lake Avenue Financial,  to unpack a technology shift that may fundamentally change how advisors operate and how clients experience financial planning. Together, they explore the evolving role of technology and artificial intelligence in financial services and how new tools may reshape the way advisors serve clients.

Thomas and Alex discuss the ripple effects following the rollout of integrated tax planning tools within the Altruist ecosystem and what this signals for the future of the industry. Drawing on decades of experience, Alex shares his perspective on how automation, AI agents, and fully integrated platforms may streamline financial planning, improve client experiences, and allow advisors to focus more on relationships rather than administrative work. They also reflect on the historical evolution of the advisory business, from commission-based models to fee-based planning, and how the next wave of technology may accelerate another major industry shift.

Thomas and Alex discuss:

  • How integrated tax planning tools are beginning to reshape the advisor technology stack
  • Why AI-driven platforms may dramatically improve efficiency for financial advisors
  • The potential shift from fragmented software tools to fully integrated planning systems
  • How client expectations may evolve as financial advice becomes more technology-enabled
  • The opportunities and challenges AI may create for the next generation of advisors
  • Why strong client relationships will remain central, even as technology advances
  • And more!

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Connect with Alex Chalekian: 

 

About Alex Chalekian: 

Alex Chalekian is the Founder and CEO of Lake Avenue Financial, an independent wealth management firm based in Pasadena, California. With decades of experience in financial services, Alex focuses on helping clients build thoughtful financial strategies through comprehensive planning and long-term guidance.

Throughout his career, Alex has witnessed multiple industry transformations, from the shift away from commission-based advice to the growth of fee-based planning and independent advisory firms. Today, he continues to explore how technology, automation, and evolving platforms may improve the client experience and help advisors operate more efficiently.

Alex is known for his thoughtful perspective on advisor technology, industry trends, and the evolving role of financial advisors in a rapidly changing landscape.

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When Success Becomes a Blind Spot: Losing a Major Client and Rebuilding with Guardrails (Ep. 17)

When Success Becomes a Blind Spot: Losing a Major Client and Rebuilding with Guardrails (Ep. 17)

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What happens when a long-standing client relationship ends, and instead of devastation, you feel relief?

In this episode, Thomas Manetta opens up about losing one of his largest and longest-standing clients after more than a decade of working closely together. What initially looked like a professional setback became a powerful moment of reflection. Thomas shares how overextending himself for one relationship created blind spots in his business, strained his energy, and ultimately limited his ability to serve others at his highest level.

Thomas Manetta discusses:

  • The risks of becoming too concentrated in one client relationship
  • How personal boundaries impact professional effectiveness
  • Recognizing signs of misalignment before it’s too late
  • Why must respect flow both ways in any advisory relationship
  • Rebuilding energy, structure, and engagement in your practice
  • And more!

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The Truth About AI Prospecting Tools with Joe Moss (Ep. 16)

The Truth About AI Prospecting Tools with Joe Moss (Ep. 16)

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Marketing tools promise efficiency, but do they deliver authenticity? 

Can technology replace the human connection that builds trust in financial advisory relationships?

In this episode, Thomas Manetta sits down with Joe Moss, founder of AdvisorTechBook, for a candid conversation about AI prospecting tools, the future of advisor technology, and the importance of staying human in an increasingly automated industry. 

Joe shares his critical perspective on platforms like FINNY, why cold outreach often fails, and how advisors can use technology without sacrificing authenticity. They also explore Joe’s new platform, Skool, and his upcoming book on the advisor tech stack.

Joe discusses:

  • Why AI-generated content in cold prospecting damages trust rather than building it
  • The golden rule of prospecting and respecting potential clients’ time
  • How authentic, personalized outreach dramatically improves response rates
  • The shift from social media positivity to AI-generated content eroding human connection
  • Why the AUM business model undervalues the real impact financial advisors provide
  • And more!

Resources:

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About our Guest: 

With a background in various industries, including real estate and data analysis, Joe Moss has become a go-to resource for financial advisors looking to optimize their tech stacks. Known for his practical solutions and ability to make complex concepts easy to understand, Joe’s work is all about helping advisors make smarter, more informed decisions when it comes to technology.

When working with Joe, you’ll soon realize he has a passion for problem-solving and helping others understand the value in optimizing their tech solutions. He’s developed a broad knowledge of the industry from years of reading about and listening to thought leaders in the RIA and fintech space.

Today, Joe uses his background and deep industry understanding to help advisors navigate the increasingly complex advisortech landscape.

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Why Advisor Onboarding Is Broken and How Tech Is Changing the Game with John Finney, CFP® (Ep. 15)

Why Advisor Onboarding Is Broken and How Tech Is Changing the Game with John Finney, CFP® (Ep. 15)

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Most advisors do not lose prospects because of advice quality; they lose them because the process feels slow, confusing, or outdated before trust ever has a chance to form.

In this episode, Thomas Manetta sits down with John Finney, CFP®, Co-Founder of Overvue, to pull back the curtain on one of the most overlooked friction points in financial services: onboarding. Together, they explore how the way advisors gather information sets the tone for trust, confidence, and long-term relationships.

Thomas and John discuss:

  • Why onboarding is often the biggest hidden bottleneck in advisory firms
  • How outdated paperwork and manual processes impact client perception
  • The role client experience plays in advisor retention and growth
  • What frictionless onboarding looks like for both tech-savvy and non-tech clients
  • Why scalable, independent advisory practices are becoming more realistic
  • And more!

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Connect with John Finney:

About our Guest: 

John Finney is the Co-Founder of Overvue, a platform built to simplify and modernize the onboarding experience between financial advisors and clients. With a background in wealth management, John focuses on solving real operational problems that improve efficiency, accuracy, and client experience.

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Authenticity, AI, and the Future of Advisory Growth (Ep. 14)

Authenticity, AI, and the Future of Advisory Growth (Ep. 14)

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This episode takes you inside the real shift that changed Thomas’s entire career. 

After years inside legacy firms that prioritized sales over service, Thomas talks openly about what happened when he moved to Altruist and finally felt free to work in a way that matched his values. He shares the moment a long-time client noticed the change in him, how independent custodial support unlocked authentic advisory work, and why organic growth becomes possible when your platform is aligned with your purpose. 

You will also hear how AI, advisor independence, and the future of custodial technology may reshape the entire wealth management landscape.

What you can expect:

  • How custodial alignment impacts authenticity
  • Why organic growth is tied to trust, not tactics
  • The role AI will play in the next era of advisory work
  • Why content and podcasting change organic visibility
  • And more!

Resources:

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How FINNY Is Powering the Future of Organic Growth for Advisors with Eden Ovadia (Ep. 13)

How FINNY Is Powering the Future of Organic Growth for Advisors with Eden Ovadia (Ep. 13)

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What if your next great client came from authentic connection, not acquisition?

In this episode, Thomas Manetta sits down with Eden Ovadia, CEO and Co-Founder of FINNY, a groundbreaking organic growth engine helping independent advisors attract clients without relying on mergers, acquisitions, or referral programs. Together, they unpack how technology, data, and authenticity can empower advisors to grow smarter, faster, and more meaningfully. 

Thomas and Eden discuss:

  • How FINNY helps advisors build personalized, scalable prospecting campaigns
  • Why authentic communication outperforms generic AI-generated outreach
  • The compounding power of content and LinkedIn for long-term growth
  • How technology like FINNY is reshaping independence and redefining what’s possible for solo RIAs
  • And more!

Connect with Thomas Manetta: 

Connect with Eden Ovadia:

About Our Guest:

Eden Ovadia is the CEO and Co-Founder of FINNY. Eden is originally from Montreal, where she received a Software Engineering degree from McGill University, specializing in Machine Learning. While at McGill, she worked at EY and KPMG as a Cyber Security Advisory Associate. Upon graduation, Eden joined BCG NYC, where she primarily worked in the Tech, Financial Institutions & Private Equity practices for over 2 years.

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Scaling Smarter: Technology, Clients, and Legacy (Ep. 12)

Scaling Smarter: Technology, Clients, and Legacy (Ep. 12)

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Advisors frequently face the challenge of striking a balance between growth, independence, and client care.

How do you use technology to scale without losing your personal touch? How do you create a path for future generations of advisors while building your own legacy?

In this episode of Behind The Curtain Finance, Thomas Manetta reflects on his conversation with Jason Wenk of Altruist and explores how technology, independence, and long-term vision can reshape advisory practices. He shares his goals for scaling, the promise of AI-driven tools, and his vision of mentoring the next generation of advisors.

Key takeaways:

  • The transformative potential of Altruist’s platform for solo advisors aiming to scale beyond traditional limits
  • How AI and integrated tech stacks are redefining efficiency and client service
  • Real-world example of using Holistiplan to impress prospects with instant, actionable tax insights
  • Why independence allows advisors to put clients first without conflicts of interest
  • The vision of building a legacy by mentoring young advisors and creating pathways to ownership
  • And more!

Resources: 

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Building the Future of Advice with Jason Wenk (Ep. 11)

Building the Future of Advice with Jason Wenk (Ep. 11)

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What happens when the infrastructure of financial services finally catches up to the modern world of cloud, APIs, and AI?

In this episode of Behind the Curtain Finance, host Thomas Manetta sits down with Jason Wenk, founder and CEO of Altruist, the first fully integrated digital custodian designed for independent advisors. Together, they explore how technology is reshaping financial services, from APIs and microservices to agent-based AI support like Hazel and paraplanners.

Thomas and Jason discuss:

  • Why legacy financial infrastructure holds advisors back, and how vertical integration changes the game
  • The role of APIs and cloud-native architecture in building seamless advisor and client experiences
  • How AI agents may transform operations, scale, and client outcomes in the next 24 months
  • Why the future of advice depends on empathy, authenticity, and human connection, even in a tech-driven world
  • And more!

Resources:

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Connect with Jason Wenk:

About our Guest:

Jason Wenk is the founder and CEO of Altruist, the first custodian built intentionally from the ground up to support independent financial advisors who want to do the best possible work for their clients with as few conflicts as possible.

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The Future of Custodianship: Transparency, Technology, and Trust (Ep. 10)

The Future of Custodianship: Transparency, Technology, and Trust (Ep. 10)

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What if the very institutions holding your money were competing against you?

In this episode of Behind the Curtain Finance, Thomas Manetta pulls back the curtain on the hidden conflicts of traditional Wall Street custodians and how a new era of transparency and technology is reshaping the way advisors and clients interact with their money.

Thomas discusses:

  • The history of custodianship, from banks in the Gilded Age to today’s RIAs
  • Why discount brokerages like Schwab and Fidelity disrupted the status quo
  • How independent custodians, such as Altruist, are removing conflicts of interest
  • The role of AI in transforming how clients and advisors see their financial lives
  • Why younger advisors are demanding independence and ownership in their careers
  • And more!

Resources:

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Why Estate Planning Can’t Wait (Ep. 9)

Why Estate Planning Can’t Wait (Ep. 9)

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When you think of estate planning, do visions of stuffy legal offices and endless paperwork come to mind? It’s time to change that.

In this episode, Thomas Manetta is here to change that perception. Drawing from years of firsthand experience, Thomas shares why estate planning isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy and why putting it off can lead to conflict, confusion, and costly legal battles. From sibling disputes to outdated trusts, he’s seen the ripple effects of poor planning. But thanks to new technologies and AI-powered tools, creating a legally sound estate plan is now simpler, faster, and more accessible than ever.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

  • Why waiting to plan your estate can tear families apart
  • How Thomas offers complimentary estate planning to clients
  • The surprising role AI is playing in the future of holistic financial advice
  • Common estate planning mistakes (and how to avoid them)
  • And more!

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